International Joke Day!

 Today is

International Joke Day!

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Water.

Water who?

Water you asking so many questions for, just open up!

A joke by definition is a display of humor in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laugh and are not to be taken seriously.

Jokes come in a variety of styles, themes, and subjects.

Riddles, knock knock, Yo momma, wit-wordplay, what do you call a... , the blonde, the rabbi, satire, puns, why did the chicken cross the road...

There probably is a joke about everything! From corny to raunchy, there is some type of humor for everyone.

Want to hear the oldest "Yo Momma" joke? (Ancient Rome, between 63BC to 14AD)

"The Emporer Augustus was touring the Empire, when he noticed a man in the crowd who bore a striking resemblance to himself.

"Intrigued he asked: Was your mother at one time in service at the palace?'

"No your Highness,' he replied, 'but my father was.'"

Ouch! Burn!

Have you ever wondered how jokes got started? Who was the first to have a sense of humor?

Historic researchers have dated the earliest written joke back to 2300B.C., during the Old Babylonian period. 

The joke goes, "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap."

Y'all men have been telling fart jokes and cracking on their wives since 2300B.C.!

Guys, you weren't funny back then, and you still aren't! (usually) Ha!

The oldest joke book dates back to the 4th or 5th century AD.

Philogelos (Greek for love of laughter), is a collection of 265 jokes. The book is not attributed to a single writer, but many.

You know the phrase, that's the oldest joke in the book?

Well, it's not THE oldest joke, but one of the top 10 oldest jokes actually is

"An intellectual came to check in on a friend who was ill. When the man's wife said that he had departed, the intellectual replied: 'when he arrives back, tell him that I stopped by.'"

and it's in the book!

During the 15th century, the printing revolution spread across Europe following the development of a movable type printing press. Printers turned out "jestbooks" along with Bibles to meet both lowbrow and highbrow interests of the people.

Did you know jokes are good for your health?

It's true.

Laughter really is the best medicine!

Laughing is a natural stress relief. Laughter can lighten your mental stress, but it also causes physical changes.

Some short term results are:

1. stimulating your organs by intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulating your heart, lungs, and muscles

2. Releases endorphins

3. Activates and relieve your stress response helps regulate your heart rate

4. Soothe tension. laughter stimulates circulation and aid muscle relaxation

Long term effects:

1.Improve your immune system. Positive thoughts can release neuropeptides that help fight stress.

2. Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.

3. Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations

4. Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illness. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier.

There you have it! The history and benefits of jokes!

If you're looking for new material or just to brush up on some old ones, check out a couple of these joke books.

Crazy Kids' Jokes

Naughty Adult Joke Book #1-10

What is your sense of humor "type"?

Corny, witty, dry?

I'm definitely a corny joke type. Although I can handle a good "adult" joke at appropriate times.

What is your favorite joke?

Be sure to comment and share with us. 

Have a Happy International Joke Day! Make someone laugh!

I will leave you with this one.

"What do you call a three-humped camel?"

Pregnant

Not the best, I know. Send me a better one!

National Waffle Iron Day!

 National Waffle Iron Day!

Not to be confused with National Waffle Day, which is August 24th

I want to start off by saying, this post subject is one that I really got into researching. I'm a geek for useless(and not-so) facts!

I love discovering history. 

Who was the first to...

How was X started.

Where was the first X

I have so many questions!

I found the history of the waffle iron quite fascinating.

Culinary historians believe what is now called waffles and the iron to make them can be dated back to ancient Greece

Chefs roasted flat cakes called obelios between metal plates attached to long wooden handles over a fire and they weren't as sweet as a modern waffle.

Around the 14th century, wafer irons were flat, sometimes circular, and usually made to imprint elaborate patterns, including coat of arms, landscapes, and religious symbols.

Over time, these wafers became thicker and were more of the modern waffle. Early waffle irons were hot, heavy, and dangerous.

Many people suffered serious burns due to lifting and trying to turn the hot irons.

In 1869, Cornelius Swarthout patented a new and improved stove-top waffle iron!

His invention looked nothing like modern electric models. Fashioned to sit on wood or gas stoves, the cast-iron plates were joined by a hinge that swiveled in a cast-iron collar.

Quote from his patent "

The nature of my invention consists in providing a handle, connected with and forming part of a waffle-iron, by means of which the same may be readily turned over without danger of slipping and without the possibility of burning the hand. It also consists in providing a device, by means of which the upper covering portion of a waffle-iron may be raised, so as to expose the interior, for filling, or for removing the waffle when done without danger of the cover slipping back, and without burning the hand."

The next big upgrade was in 1911 when General Electric developed a prototype of the first electric waffle iron. They didn't start production until 1918.

From then on, waffle irons have been upgraded and improved.

We've come a long way with the waffles.

In doing the research, I found a ton of antique waffle irons on both Ebay and Amazon.

I have to say, this little one is my favorite. Modern technology with a retro charm.

Dash No-Drip Waffle Maker 

or even this one

Double Hearts Waffle Maker

I hope you've had as much fun as I have learning all about the history of the waffle iron.

How do you like your waffles?

1. Traditional, butter, syrup and/or powdered sugar

2. Freshened up with fruit and whipped topping

3. Trendy with the chicken and waffles crowd

National Onion Rings Day!

 It's National Onion Rings Day Y'all!

(I promise, not all the National Day posts will be about food. I hope!)

I gotta be honest with you all. Up until about seven or so years ago, I would've been all... "Uh, ew! Onion rings?!"

I have no idea why. It just wasn't my thing. I'd always choose fries. I mean seriously, who wouldn't if given the choice? ("Would you like french fries or onion rings?")

Fries, definitely, fries!

Right?

Okay, so now I may choose onion rings, but I'm still pretty picky about them.

It has to be the right texture, size, and flavor.

It's either a yes or a big Nope for me. I definitely prefer an actual onion ring versus the minced onion.

There are a few local places that can really persuade me with their recipes.

Jolly's is a local root beer drive-in joint that has some pretty good, golden crispy, just salty enough onion rings. 5/5 for them!

Mad Mike's burgers is another local place that has some pretty good ones. I'd have to go 4/5 for them. Only because they are one of those that have jumped on the "onion rings go on a burger" wagon, and I'm just not feeling that.

Red Robin is my big chain choice for onion rings.

I'm going to have to call out Sonic and Burger King as my No-Go onion rings.

I don't know if it's the whole pre-made, packaged bit or what, but I just can't do them.

Sorry, not sorry.

I've also found a wonderful, keto-friendly recipe for Air Fryer Onion Rings!

London has some great recipes. Make sure to check her page out.

If you don't own an air fryer yet, go grab this one!

Seriously, this is amazing. Easy to use, easy to clean, and it is a 6 in 1!

You can use it as an air fryer, broiler, roaster, dehydrator, baking, and also reheating foods.

Start out using it to celebrate National Onion Ring Day. Tomorrow, try something new!

Let me know how it goes! I'd love to hear feedback and share pics!

Do you have a favorite dipping sauce? I'm pretty basic with Ketchup. What should I try?